There was a good attendance at the recent meeting which began on a serious note but soon the hall resounded with laughter for the best Woolavington WI AGM in memory.
After the usual short business meeting at which members were reminded of two forthcoming events, visits to Miles Tea at Minehead and “Cook” in Wells, President Teresa Hemms opened the AGM.
The Treasurer gave her report showing the WI to be in an excellent state of financial health.
Corena Mundell gave the Secretary's presentation recalling all the many and varied events and outings of the past 15 months.
Teresa thanked the committee for all their support throughout her Presidency, presenting each with a bouquet, also thanking the members who had helped in various ways to ensure the smooth running of the WI
The speakers for the evening, the intriguing subject of which was “My Secret Passion” were members of the committee, opening with Corena who regaled us with a Pam Ayres poem followed by two more poems written by a WI member. The last told of the pitfalls of imbibing what turned out to be extremely alcoholic blackcurrant wine made by one member and unleashed on her unsuspecting friends – (who may not have been so friendly subsequently!)
Teresa told of her work as part of the Volunteers who work with the wives of the local 4-40 Commando Royal Marines to provide confidential emotional and practical support. Most families do not have Mum/Dad and/or good neighbours close enough to support them when life gets tough and this where the Volunteers are able to step in. She is in charge of the rotas and has encouraged our members to help by setting up the WI Knit and Stitch group who knit dolls. These are dressed as Marines and children who are attached by their hands; a toy, yet also a symbol of the attachment of Dad to the child even when he is serving abroad or back home and suffering from post traumatic stress.
Mo combined two of her not so secret passions; writing, as she said, “doggerel” and singing with a rendition of “In an English Country Garden” to which several extra verses had been added portraying some of the pests and problems which gardeners face.
Members spent some time discussing the plans for Members' Night before the final item of the evening.
Walton Players treated us to their version in silhouette of Fifty Shades of Grey which had us all chuckling and rounded off a splendid AGM night. If you weren’t there you missed a treat!
After the usual short business meeting at which members were reminded of two forthcoming events, visits to Miles Tea at Minehead and “Cook” in Wells, President Teresa Hemms opened the AGM.
The Treasurer gave her report showing the WI to be in an excellent state of financial health.
Corena Mundell gave the Secretary's presentation recalling all the many and varied events and outings of the past 15 months.
Teresa thanked the committee for all their support throughout her Presidency, presenting each with a bouquet, also thanking the members who had helped in various ways to ensure the smooth running of the WI
The speakers for the evening, the intriguing subject of which was “My Secret Passion” were members of the committee, opening with Corena who regaled us with a Pam Ayres poem followed by two more poems written by a WI member. The last told of the pitfalls of imbibing what turned out to be extremely alcoholic blackcurrant wine made by one member and unleashed on her unsuspecting friends – (who may not have been so friendly subsequently!)
Teresa told of her work as part of the Volunteers who work with the wives of the local 4-40 Commando Royal Marines to provide confidential emotional and practical support. Most families do not have Mum/Dad and/or good neighbours close enough to support them when life gets tough and this where the Volunteers are able to step in. She is in charge of the rotas and has encouraged our members to help by setting up the WI Knit and Stitch group who knit dolls. These are dressed as Marines and children who are attached by their hands; a toy, yet also a symbol of the attachment of Dad to the child even when he is serving abroad or back home and suffering from post traumatic stress.
Mo combined two of her not so secret passions; writing, as she said, “doggerel” and singing with a rendition of “In an English Country Garden” to which several extra verses had been added portraying some of the pests and problems which gardeners face.
Members spent some time discussing the plans for Members' Night before the final item of the evening.
Walton Players treated us to their version in silhouette of Fifty Shades of Grey which had us all chuckling and rounded off a splendid AGM night. If you weren’t there you missed a treat!